ease (redirected from easing away)

at ease

without worry or anxiety. The performer is at ease on the stage. After she had met a few people, Mary felt at ease with the group.

ease (on) out (of something )

1. . Lit. to continue moving out of something, slowly and carefully. I was able to ease on out of the parking space, but only with difficulty. I looked both ways and eased on out.

2. Fig. to leave something, such as an office or position, quietly and without much embarrassment. The bum finally eased on out of office without much public notice. He eased out while the press was concerned with some other crisis.

See also: out

ease (someone or something) down

(from something ) to bring someone or something downward from something gently. The rescuers eased the injured hiker down from the mountain. They eased down the hiker carefully.

ease someone or something along

to help someone or something to move along, very carefully. Just ease the piano along little by little. She eased the shy child along.

See also: along

ease someone (on) out (of something )

1. . Lit. to help someone continue to get out of something. We helped ease heron out of the car. With care, we eased her on out. After taking a look around, Tom eased himself out of the opening.

2. Fig. to help someone decide to leave something, such as an office or position, quietly and without much embarrassment. The scandal eased her on out of office in a way that an election might not have. The scandal eased her on out.

See also: out

ease someone out of something and ease someone out 

1. . Lit. to get someone out of something carefully. The paramedics eased the injured man out of the wreckage. Please ease out the patient carefully.

2. Fig. to get someone out of an office or position quietly and without much embarrassment. We eased the sheriff out of office with out a fight. The board eased out the chairman by offering him a huge bonus.

See also: out

ease away (from someone or something)

to pull away from someone or something slowly and carefully. The great ship eased away from the pier. The ship eased away slowly.

See also: away

ease back

(on something) to move something back slowly and carefully. (Usually refers to a throttle or some other control on an airplane or other vehicle.) Ann eased back on the throttle and slowed down. Please ease back on the volume control a little. You will deafen us.

See also: back

ease off

[for something] to diminish. The rain began to ease off. The storm seems to have eased off a little.

ease off

(on someone or something ) and ease up (on someone or something ) to reduce the urgency with which one deals with someone or something; to put less pressure on someone or something. Ease off on John. He has been yelled at enough today. Yes, please ease off. I can't stand any more. Tell them to ease up on the horses. They are getting tired.

ease off (on someone or something) and ease up (on someone or something)

to reduce the urgency with which one deals with someone or something; to put less pressure on someone or something. Ease off on John. He has been yelled at enough today. Yes, please ease off. I can't stand any more. Tell them to ease up on the horses. They are getting tired.

ill at ease

uneasy; anxious. I feel ill at ease about the interview. You look ill at ease. Please relax.

See also: ill

put one at (one's) ease

Fig. to cause someone to relax or feel welcome. She usually tells a little joke to put you at your ease. Please do something to put me at ease.

See also: one, put

set someone's mind at ease (about someone or something)

to make someone feel mentally comfortable about someone or something. Alice is upset. I will have to do something to set her mind at ease about the accident. Please set your mind at ease. Everything will be all right.

See also: mind, set

with ease

without effort. The smart student passed the test with ease. The gymnast did a back flip with ease.

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be ill at ease

to feel anxious or embarrassed (often + with ) He always felt a little ill at ease with strangers. (sometimes + in ) The girl behind the bar looked ill at ease in her uniform.

See also: ill

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at ease

relaxed and comfortable The girl behind the bar was completely at ease, chatting with her customers as she mixed their drinks.

Usage notes: often used in the form put someone at ease (make someone comfortable): We were greeted by a young woman who immediately put us at ease.

Opposite of: ill at ease

ill at ease

worried and uncomfortable The old gentleman obviously felt ill at ease while he waited to have his hair cut.

Opposite of: at ease

See also: ill

put somebody's mind at ease also set somebody's mind at ease

to cause someone to stop worrying He chose his words carefully to put his mother's mind at ease.

Usage notes: also used in the forms put someone's mind at rest and set someone's mind at rest: To put his mind at rest, I offered to make one final check.

See also: mind, put